UPM Circular Renewable Black™ is a biobased black pigment developed by UPM Biochemicals for applications in plastics and rubber, particularly in packaging. The material is derived from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood, and is sourced from FSC™ and PEFC-certified forests. Produced in Europe using renewable carbon, it offers an alternative to fossil-based carbon black without requiring changes to existing manufacturing processes.

The pigment delivers a deep black colour comparable to conventional carbon black, making it suitable for applications where visual consistency is essential. At the same time, it has been engineered to remain detectable by near-infrared (NIR) sorting systems. Unlike traditional black plastics, which are typically invisible to such technologies, this enables more effective sorting and recycling of black-coloured materials.

Technically, the material demonstrates stability during processing and recycling, and can be used both as a pigment and as a functional filler in thermoplastic compounds. Its environmental performance has been assessed through a life cycle assessment in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, indicating a cradle-to-gate carbon-negative footprint due to the inclusion of biogenic carbon. This assessment has been independently reviewed by DEKRA, supporting the credibility of the results.